Original Press Release

3M Adds New Self-Retracting Lifeline to Its Fall Protection Products

Press release date: June 3, 2010

Product incorporates sealed housing design

St. Paul, Minn. - Introducing the new Sealed ReLoad Retractable Lifeline from 3M. The new sealed retractable lifeline is engineered to deliver consistent performance with patented technological improvements and a sealed housing that helps resist the damaging effects of corrosion.

"Customers are hungry for new fall protection technology that can help minimize retractable maintenance and repair costs," said Greg Hocevar, oil and gas business development manager for 3M Occupational Health and Environmental Safety Division. "Our customers are responding enthusiastically to the new Sealed ReLoad product."

The new modular design of Sealed ReLoad allows for an authorized technician to quickly inspect the product for damage and make necessary repairs. Common repairs can be performed on-site by a trained technician, helping to reduce the costs incurred during product maintenance; including labor, shipping and product downtime.

The new design also incorporates several features to help ensure consistent performance in the field. Forces generated in a fall are absorbed through a coiled stainless steel braking mechanism called Constant Force. The Constant Force energy absorber is a frictionless braking system, meaning it does not require calibration for proper performance. The Sealed ReLoad also features the constant motion Full Contact pawl mechanism. Since Full Contact does not rely on stationary springs, it is more resistant to freezing, hanging up, and corroding.

A recognized leader in research and development, 3M produces thousands of innovative products for dozens of diverse markets. 3M's core strength is applying its more than 40 distinct technology platforms - often in combination - to a wide array of customer needs. With $23 billion in sales, 3M employs 75,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com.